Introduction to High

Frequency Structure Simulator

Pengcheng Jia
 Background
 Introduced from 90s
 Simulation tool for complex 3 D geometries
 Using Finite Element Method
 Adaptive Mesh generation & refinement
 2 Main Vendors—Agilent & Ansoft
 Merger from May 1
 Transfer to Ansoft HFSS after Nov. 1, 2001
 Requirement & Resources
 HFSS consume tremendous memory if fine
result is needed
 300M+ Memory and 400M+ processor is
recommended
 Floating License Key within ECEWIN2K
subnet
 Remote access to new Scully which has 1 G
RAMBUS400 Memory and 1.7G P4 processor
Agilent HFSS
Ansoft HFSS
 Features(1)
 Computes s-parameters and full-wave fields
for arbitrarily-shaped 3D passive structures
 Powerful drawing capabilities to simplify
design entry
 Field solving engine with accuracy-driven
adaptive solutions
 Powerful post-processor for unprecedented
insight into electrical performance
 Features(2)
 Advanced materials
 Model Library-including spiral inductors
 Model half, quarter, or octet symmetry
 Calculate far-field patterns
 Wideband fast frequency sweep
 Create parameterized cross section models-
2D models
 Applications
 Antennas
 Microwave transitions
 Waveguide components
 RF filters
 Three-dimensional discontinuities
 Passive circuit elements
 Procedure to simulate

1. Open or Make new project

2. Draw objects
3. Assign material property
4. Define boundary conditions
5. Solve
6. Display result
New project
Project Preferences
Drawing basics
Drawing Lines & 2 D objects
Drawing 3 D objects
Object Library
Editing Objects
Materials
Metal & Resistor
Boundaries
Boundary Conditions
Add A Boundary
Display Boundary
Calibrating Ports
Solve
Frequency & Meshing
Displaying Results
S Matrix
Plot Field
 Result Comparison
 r=8.5; Hsub=625 um; W=150um; G=75 um
Z L  jZ 0Tan  L
Z  Z0 ---Theoretical Equation
Z 0  jZ LTan  L

@10G Theoretical HFSS

L=100 um 0.04 nH 0.05 nH
L=300 um 0.12 nH 0.13 nH
L=600 um 0.24 nH 0.24 nH
L=800 um 0.33 nH 0.31 nH
Finite Element Method

Tetrahedron
 Impedance Concept
 Zpi, Zpv & Zvi
 Microstrips use Zpi impedance
2P 1
Zpi 
I I *
;P 
2  ExHds; I   Hdl
 Slot-type (CPW) use Zpv impedance
V V *
Zpv 
2P
 TEM waves use Zvi impedance
Zvi  Zpi  Zpv
 Projects with HFSS
 Microstrip Line to Waveguide Transition
EM Field of the transition
Waveguide Combiner System
Slotline Antenna
Bonding Wire Discontinuity
Packaging for CPW Lines
Field Plot
 Useful links
 http://www.ansoft.com
 http://dutettq.et.tudelft.nl/~hfss/welcome.html
 http://wwwinfo.cern.ch/ce/ae/Maxwell/index.html

 Documents for HP HFSS is in “Scully”

c:/Otherprg/hfss/doc
 References
 HP High-Frequency Structure Simulator
User’s Reference
 HP High-Frequency Structure Simulator
Tutorial